Avoid These 4 Things For Better Air Quality
1. Dirty Blankets, Mattresses, and Upholstery
2. Ceiling Dust and Cobwebs
3. Smoking Inside the Home
You already know smoking causes breathing issues. But beyond this, it can become a serious menace to appliances, children, and pets by collecting in areas with dust particles. Smoke is a fraction of the size of an average dust particle and can penetrate microscopic cracks. In fact, it can even enter sealed sensitive electronics and laptops. So, keeping a smoke free environment can also save you money on appliances besides protecting your health.
4. Harsh Chemical Cleaners
For the last 50 years, science has created revolutionary products designed to make cleaning easier. But it didn't take long before we began to tie ailments to poisonous chemicals in many common cleaners. Unfortunately, household cleaning products are not forced to disclose toxic ingredients, so make sure you purchase products that are non-toxic, natural and green!
To check information on cleaning product ingredients from published scientific literature, go here: EWG.org
How To Clean Indoor Air
1. Get Some Houseplants
An often overlooked source of managing air quality is houseplants.
Plant life exists on earth locked in a symbiotic relationship where they provide oxygen as a waste byproduct of their life functions. Then animal life supplies carbon dioxide and other gasses that plants can use. You can use this fundamental aspect of nature to put yourself close to sources of clean air.
In addition, plants are also known to help in the control of the presence of molds and other airborne agents.
Indoor Houseplants That Clean Your Air
Aloe Vera
Ficus
Boston Fern
Dracaena
The Dracaena is a plant with a wide variety of types and colors. This makes it a popular indoor plant for decoration. But beyond its stylish colors and interesting looks, this plant is a major ally in the search for clean air. The Dracaena removes residues of some plastics and petroleum products from the air, and does so while looking great.
Snake Plant
The Snake plant is a desert climate plant. That means that it tends to do the best in a dry area, and requires very little water. They filter out chemicals like trichloroethylene and look great next to your front door, or in any corner.
2. Clean Air Ducts
Tips for Cleaning Your Air Ducts
When you turn on your air system, the air that passes through your duct system carries with it whatever pollutants, dust, or bacteria are there. This means you need to prevent a build-up of these factors. Here are some tips and guidelines for keeping your air ducts clean.
Grab A Mop
Clean Surfaces
Check for Moisture
3. Clean Carpets and Flooring
Dust nearly always settles on the floor as its final resting place. Keeping carpets and flooring clean of dust will mean less dust that can be kicked up by movement.
4. Open Your Windows
5. Add an Air Purifier
If you have done all you can to reduce allergens in your home, but are still plagued by allergies, consider adding an air purifier. Both the U.S. EPA and the American Lung Association recommend air filtration if you suffer from allergies or asthma.
Here are the top 3 Air Purifiers on Amazon.com
6. Salt Lamps
Another natural air purifier that neutralizes toxins is a Himalayan salt lamp. Adding a Salt Lamp to any room in your house is an excellent way to cleanse and deodorize the air. You can read more about their benefits here: Himalayan Salt Lamp Health Benefits
7. Essential Oils for Air Purification
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most potent essential oils available for daily use. This particular oil is well known for its powerful antimicrobial attributes, used to deal with bacterial and fungal infections. You can easily transfer these abilities into the air by using a heated diffuser to mist the oil into the air. This will help kill and reduce the number of allergens, bacteria, and fungal spores float in the air in your home.
Eucalyptus Oil
Basil Oil
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most exciting oils on this list. Research has uncovered that it has a clear and tested ability to reduce muscle action that results in coughing. This is due to its muscle relaxing properties. It is another oil that you should dilute with another oil to reduce its possibility of causing a reaction, but then you’ll free to breathe easy.
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Cleaning the indoor air has something that I have been obsessed with recently. Generally speaking I keep my house very clean and no-one has ever smoked inside. However, I still felt there’s air pollution inside.
I love the idea of getting indoor plants but I fear I’ll get a fruit fly invasion. I’ll probably try it out thought because house plants are beautiful! I also love the idea of essential oils because they not only clean the air but they smell amazing! Thanks for these great ideas!
Thanks for connecting Hollie! I always start thinking about indoor air-quality as winter approaches too! )I have many plants and have never had a fruit fly invasion).Â